Electroplating anode



NOV. 25, 1952 w A R 2,619,457

ELECTROPLATING ANODE Filed April 5, 1950 IN VEN TOR. fiad'erl c'l 144 fir q yehn Y F Zia-LA.

gnaw/YE X Patented Nov. 25, 1952 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE ELECTR-OPLATING ANODE Frederick W. Wagner, Highland Park, Mich., as-

signor to Wagner Brothers, Inc., Highland Park, Mich., a corporation of Michigan Application April 5, 1950, Serial No. 154,049

Claims. (Cl. 204-288) support a soluble or replaceable anode in the electrolytic bath, the electrical circuit through the anode being completed through the anode support which is also submerged at least partially in the bath. As a result, the portions of the anode support in contact with the bath are gradually dissolved, requiring the support to be replaced at considerable expense. If the material of the anode support differs from the soluble anode, the difiiculty is compounded since the bath will eventually become contaminated, requiring the replacement of expensive chemicals.

An important object of the present invention is to provide simple improved means for suspending a plurality of vertically spaced soluble anodes in an electrolytic bath, whereby the anode support is completely shielded from the bath and destruction of the support or contamination of the bath are avoided.

Another object is to provide an improved anode for an electrolytic bath comprising a plurality of replaceable soluble apertured anode members strung on an electricity conducting shaft in electrical contact therewith and spaced from each other by a plurality of spacing washers,

each including a gasket of material inert to the bath and compressible between the adjacent anode members to provide a fluid tight seat therewith around the shaft. By virtue of this construction, a fluid-tight seal is formed around the body of the shaft to shield the same from the electrolytic bath when the alternating anode members and gaskets are pressed together. Also the anode members may be readily and economically formed in slabs or plates of comparatively large area to contact the bath. The present invention is particularly suitable for use in nickel plating, in which case the anode members will be formed of comparatively pure nickel. It is to be understood however that this invention is not limited to the use in nickel plating processes, since it may readily be applied in the electroplating of other metals.

The aperture or bore through each anode member is preferably dimensioned to fit snugly around the shaft passing therethrough. Nevertheless difficulty in achieving positive electrical contact between the shaft and members is frequently experienced. The resistance of the electroplating circuit is thus increased and inefficient operation results.

It is accordingly another object to increase the effective area of electrical contact and thereby decrease the electrical resistance between the shaft and anode members by providing a comparatively rigid electricity conductin inner core or bushing for each compressible gasket, snugly fitting around the shaft in electrical contact therewith and positively abutting in electrical contact the adjacent anode members spaced thereby. This construction increases the effective area of electrical contact between the shaft and anode members by the extent of the area of contact between the shaft and conducting bushings, since the latter complete an electrical unit with said anodes when pressed therebetween in the formation of the aforesaid fluidtight seals around the shaft.

Another object is to provide an anode assem bly of the foregoing nature wherein the axial thickness of each compressible gasket increases radially from a thickness less than the axial thickness of the associated inner bushing adjacent the latter to a thickness greater than said bushing thickness. Accordingly upon compres sing the gaskets between the adjacent anode members to efi'ect said seals, electrical contact between the alternate conducting bushings and anode members will not be impaired by reason of the deformed gaskets being forced between adjacent bushing and anode members.

Still another object is to provide an anode assembly of the foregoing character comprising improved means for supporting the shaft in the electrolytic bath and clamping the. alternating anode members and spacing washers together to efiect said seals around the shaft, comprising an abutment inert to the bath at the lower end of the shaft and adapted to be compressed against a lower spacing washer, so as to ffect a fluidtight seal therewith around the shaft, and also comprising an electricity conducting coupling coated with a material inert to the bath and having uncoated screw threaded portions at opposite ends adapted for screw attachment with the upper end of the shaft and an electricity conducting support for the shaft, the coated coupling being adapted to be tightened against an upper spacing washer so as to effect a fluid-tight seal therewith around the shaft By this construction, the replaceable anode members and spacing washers may be readily removed from or strung on the shaft as desired and clamped together to effect a fluid-tight seal com pletely enclosing the shaft. Also. the several electricity conducting parts of the anode assembly are readily separable from each other and replaceable in the event that they should inadvertently come in contact with the bath and be dissolved or damaged thereby. In this regard the several conducting parts which might inadvertently come in contact with the bath preferably comprise the same material as the soluble anode members, so that in the event of leakage of one of the seals or of the coating around the coupling, for example, the bath will not be contaminated.

Other objects of this invention will appear in the following description and appended claims, reference being had to the accompanying drawings forming a part of this specification wherein like reference characters designate corresponding parts in the several views.

Fig. 1 is a fragmentary elevation showing parts in vertical mid-section of an anode assembly embodying the present invention.

Fig. 2 is a horizontal section taken in the direction of th arrows along the line 22 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is a view similar to Fig. 1, showing the lower portion of the anode assembly prior to clamping the anode members and spacing washers together.

It is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its application to the details of construction and arrangement of parts illustrated in the accompanying drawings, since the invention is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced or carried out in various ways. Also it is to be understood that the phraseology or terminology employed herein is for the purpose of description and not of limitation.

Referring to the drawings, the anode assembly shown comprises a cylindrical electricity conducting shaft IO having a plurality of apertured soluble anode members I2 replaceably strung thereon and spaced by a plurality of replaceable washer assemblies each comprising an outer compressible annular gasket I4 and a comparatively rigid annular inner electricity conducting core or bushing I6.

Each anode member I2 comprises in the present instance a generally square slab or plate having a central aperture or bore through which the shaft I0 passes snugly in electrical contact with the sidewalls thereof, Fig. 2. Although the particular dimensions and shape of the members I2 may be varied as desired, the plate or slab constructions shown are particularly feasible and economically obtained.

Each gasket I4 comprises a rubber-like material comparatively inert to the electrolytic bath for which the anode members I2 are intended, so as not to be dissolved or damaged by immersion in the bath. As indicated in Fig. 3, each gasket I4 in the uncompressed condition fits closely but slidably around its associated inner bushing I8 and increases radially outward in axial thickness from a thickness less than the height of the bushing adjacent the latter to somewhat more than the bushing height at the outer periphery of the gasket. Thus when the alternating mem bers I2 and spacing washers I4, I6 are pressed tightly together, Fig. l, the members I2 will abut the ends of the adjacent inner bushings I6 in positive electrical contact without interference from the adjacent portions of the gaskets I4, which might otherwise be deformed and squeezed between the members I2 and I5, impairing the electrical contact therebetween. However the outer periphery of each gasket I4 which is adjacent the face of one of the members I2 will be deformed and compressed thereagainst in a fluid tight seal around the shaft I0.

In this connection, the central portion of each anode member I2 engaged by th adjacent washer assembly I4, I6 is preferably ground or machined to provide a smooth surface assuring a fluid tight seal with the gasket I4 and a positive electrical contact with the ends of the inner bushing I6. Each bushing I6 is of course preferably similarly finished at its ends and is dimensioned to fit snugly on the shaft Ii] in electrical contact therewith, Fig. 2.

Suitable means are provided to enclose the ends of the shaft III and clamp the members I2 and spacing washer assemblies I4, I6 together to effect the aforesaid seals, comprising in the present instance a socket or cap nut I8 and a double socket or coupling nut 20 adapted to screw on lower and upper threaded ends 22 and 24 respectively of the shaft I0 and to be compressed against the endmost gaskets I4 to complete fluidtight seals therewith around said shaft. Inasmuch as the cap nut I8 will usually be formed of metal for the sake of strength, it is coated except at its internally threaded socket with a material 26 inert to the electrolytic bath.

The coupling nut 20 is a conductor of electricity and is provided with a pair of coaxial oppositely opening internally threaded sockets into which are screwed the end 24, as aforesaid, and the threaded end 28 of an electricity conducting supporting rod 30. The latter is adapted to be suspended from a support by means of a hook portion 32 at its upper end, whereby the anode is energized by an electrical current flowing through the rod 33, coupling 20, shaft I0, and from thence to the anode members l2 either directly or through the spacing bushings I6.

Similarly to the coating 26, the coupling 20 is coated except at its two sockets with a material 34 inert to the electrolytic bath. The coatings 26, 34 may comprise the same rubber-like material as the gaskets I 4 if desired and preferably do not cover the portions of the nuts I8 and 20 immediately adjacent the endmost bushings I6, since a coating at these locations would only be damaged when clamped against the bushings. Further, the uppermost bushing I6 directly abutting the body of the coupling 20 increases the current fiow to the uppermost anode member I2.

It is apparent from the structure disclosed that the soluble anode members I2 and spacing washers M, I6 may be readily strung as shown on the shaft I0 and compressed together to complete a fluid tight seal around the body of the shaft. The initial compressing may be readily accomplished by placing the shaft ID with the members I2 and spacing washers I4, I6 assembled thereon in a clamping fixture, whereupon the endmost members I2 are pressed toward each other until the alternating members I2 and bushings I6 solidly abut each other and the gaskets I4 are compressed between the adjacent members I2 to complete the aforesaid seal. Thereafter the nuts I 8, 20 are screwed tightly against the endmost washers in a fluid tight seal around the shaft I6, so as to enclose and completely shield the latter and bushings I 6 from the electrolytic bath when suspended therein, as for example by means of the supporting shaft 30 screwed into the coupling 29.

In operation, the uppermost anode member I2 will usually be immersed below the level of the bath indicated at 36. The spaced soluble anode members I2 extend radially from the shaft III sufficiently to afford adequate area exposed to the assembly is removed from the bath and the partially dissolved anode members [2 are replaced by new members l2 upon removal of one or both of the nuts I8, 20,. The shaft l0, washer "assemblies 14, I6 and nuts 18, 20 are used repeatedly.

Also by virtue of the structure disclosed, in the event of inadvertent leakage around one of the sealing gaskets H3 or through one of the coatings 26 or 34 causing damage to some parts of the anode assembly intended to be shielded from the bath, the damaged parts may be replaced without requiring the undamaged parts to be scrapped. In this regard, the conducting parts of the anode assembly, comprising the shaft [0, bushings I6, and nuts l8 and 20 are formed of the same material as the soluble anode members l2 wherever feasible, so as to avoid contamination of the bath in the event of inadvertent leakage.

I claim:

1. In an anode for an electrolytic bath, an electricity conducting shaft adapted to be suspended in the bath while connected with a source of electrical energy, a plurality of anode members and a plurality of washer assemblies replaceably strung on the shaft alternately and spacing each other, each member having a bore with the shaft passing therethrough in electrical contact with the member, each washer assembly comprising a rigid electricity conducting inner bushing in electrical contact with the members spaced thereby and the shaft and also comprising an outer gasket inert to the bath, each gasket having concave faces at opposite sides to provide for maximum compression axially of the gasket adjacent the outer edges of the gasket to effect a fluid-tight seal around the shaft, each gasket interposed between a pair of said members being compressed therebetween with the degree of compression decreasing radially inwardly from a maximum at its outer edge, the uncompressed thickness of the gasket increasing radially from a thickness less than the axial thickness of the associated bushing adjacent the latter to an axial thickness greater than said bushing, and clamping means on the shaft compressing said alternating gaskets and members together to effect said seals and contact between said mem-- bers and bushings.

2. In an anode assembly for an electrolytic bath, an anode support comprising an electricity conducting shaft adapted to be connected with a source of electrical energy while submerged in the bath, a plurality of apertured anode members replaceably strung on the shaft in electrical contact therewith, a plurality of washer assemblies replaceably strung on the shaft with the members and washer assemblies alternating and spacing each other, each washer assembly comprising an electricity conducting inner bushing fitting on the shaft in electrical contact therewith and with the member on either axial side thereof and also comprising a compressed outer gasket inert to the bath and replaceably fitting around the associated inner bushing, each gasket interposed between a pair of said members being compressed therebetween with the degree of compression decreasing radially inwardly from a maximum at its outer edge, the uncompressed thickness of the gasket increasing radially from a thickness less than the axial thickness of the associated'bus'hing adjacent the latter to an axial thickness greater than said bushing.

3. In an anode assembly for an electrolytic bath, an .anode support comprising an electricity conducting shaft adapted to be connected with a source of electrical energy while submerged in the bath, a plurality of apertured anode members replaceably strung on the shaft in electrical contact therewith, a plurality of washer assemblies replaceably strung on the shaft with the members and washer assemblies alternating and spacing each other, each washer assembly comprising a rigid electricity conducting inner bushing fitting on the shaft in electrical contact therewith and with the member on either axial side thereof and also comprising a compressed outer gasket inert to the bath, each gasket interposed between a pair of said members being compressed therebetween with the degree of compression decreasing radially inwardly from a maximum at its outer edge, the uncompressed thickness of the gasket increasing radially from a thickness less than the axial thickness of the associated bushing adjacent the latter to an axial thickness greater than said bushing.

4. In an anode for an electrolytic bath, an electricity conducting shaft adapted to be suspended in the bath while connected with a source of electrical energy, a plurality of anode members, each having a bore therethrough and being strung on the shaft with the walls of the bore in electrical contact with the shaft, a plurality of washer assemblies strung on the shaft alternately with the anode members in mutually spaced relation, each washer assembly comprising a rigid electricity conducting inner bushing electrically contacting the members adjacent thereto and the shaft and also comprising an outer gasket inert to the bath, each gasket interposed between a pair of said members being compressed therebetween with the degree of compression decreasing radially inwardly from a maximum at its outer edge, the uncompressed thickness of the gasket increasing radially from a thickness less than the axial thickness of the associated bushing adjacent the latter to an axial thickness greater than said bushing, means inert to the bath to hold the members and washer assemblies on the shaft comprising an annular abutment at one end of the shaft, and means to compress said alternating washer assemblies and members together against said abutment to effect said seals.

5. In an anode for an electrolytic bath, a shaft comprising a conductor of electricity adapted to be suspended in the bath while connected with a source of electricity, a plurality of anode members, each having a bore therethrough and being replaceably strung on said shaft with the walls of the bore in electrical contact with the shaft, a plurality of washer assemblies replaceably strung on the shaft alternately with the anode members. each pair of adjacent washer assemblies being spaced by one of said anode members and each washer assembly comprising an electricity conducting inner'bushing in electrical contact with the shaft and the anode member on either axial side thereof and also comprising an outer gasket inert to the bath, each gasket interposed between a pair of said members being compressed therebetween with the degree of compression decreasing radially inwardly from a maximum at its outer edge, the uncompressed thickness of the gasket increasing radially from a thickness less than the axial thickness of the associated bushing adjacent the latter to an axial thickness greater than said bushing, means against which the endmost washer assembly at one end of the shaft is compressed to provide a fluid-tight seal around the shaft comprising an abutment inert to the bath and detachably secured on said end of the shaft, and means for pressing the endmost washer assembly at the other end of the shaft toward said abutment to effect the aforesaid seals between said washer assemblies and members and abutment.

FREDERICK W. WAGNER.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

Number 8 UNITED STATES PATENTS Name Date Reid Jan. 10, 1911 Reid June 4, 1912 FOREIGN PATENTS Country Date Great Britain of 1902 Great Britain Jan. 28, 1941 Italy Jan. 19, 1938 

1. IN AN ANODE FOR AN ELECTROLYTIC BATH, AN ELECTRICITY CONDUCTING SHAFT ADAPTED TO BE SUSPENDED IN THE BATH WHILE CONNECTED WITH A SOURCE OF ELECTRICAL ENERGY, A PLURALITY OF ANODE MEMBERS AND A PLURALITY OF WASHER ASSEMBLIES REPLACEABLY STRUNG ON THE SHAFT ALTERNATELY AND SPACING EACH OTHER, EACH MEMBER HAVING A BORE WITH THE SHAFT PASSING THERETHROUGH IN ELECTRICAL CONTACT WITH THE MEMBER, EACH WASHER ASSEMBLY COMPRISING A RIGID ELECTRICITY CONDUCTING INNER BUSHING IN ELECTRICAL CONTACT WITH THE MEMBERS SPACED THEREBY AND THE SHAFT AND ALSO COMPRISING AN OUTER GASKET INERT TO THE BATH, EACH GASKET HAVING CONCAVE FACES AT OPPOSITE SIDES TO PROVIDE FOR MAXIMUM COMPRESSION AXIALLY OF THE GASKET ADJACENT THE OUTER EDGES OF THE GASKET TO EFFECT A FLUID-TIGHT SEAL AROUND THE SHAFT, EACH GASKET INTERPOSED BETWEEN A PAIR OF SAID MEMBERS BEING COMPRESSED THEREBETWEEN WITH THE DEGREE OF COMPRESSION DECREASING RADIALLY INWARDLY FROM A MAXIMUM AT ITS OUTER EDGE, THE UNCOMPRESSED THICKNESS OF THE GASKET INCREASING RADIALLY FROM 